Go for a walk in the woods at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) to find fairies during a Winter Forest Fairy Hike in Quechee. (Courtesy of VINS)
Go for a walk in the woods at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) to find fairies during a Winter Forest Fairy Hike in Quechee. (Courtesy of VINS) Credit: Courtesy of VINS

Quechee — Have you ever heard of “Bird-Opoly”?

I hadn’t until I found out about Birds and Board Games, a first-time event that Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is hosting from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday in Quechee, 149 Natures Way.

“We were thinking about the winter, which is usually a slow time for us at VINS,” said Anna Morris, lead environmental educator. “Many of the educators here are into board games so we thought incorporating it as an evening special event would be a fun thing to do.”

Admission is $8 per person and refreshments will be provided. In addition to the Monopoly-themed “Bird-Ology,” other science-themed games include “Evolution,” “Photosynthesis,” “Pandemic,” and the much-loved “Settlers of Catan.”

While the game night is targeted at teenagers and young adults, there will also be games available for younger players.

And of course there will be birds.

“Then we’ll break up the evening with a few visits from our avian ambassadors,” Morris said.

So far, the event has garnered interest on Facebook.

“It doesn’t seem like it will be a huge event, but it will be a nice, fun time,” Morris said. “If it’s successful, we’ll do another one.”

Birds and Board Games is one of many events that VINS has planned for this winter. Here’s a look at some of the others.

Winter Forest Fairy Hikes: Feb. 9 and March 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. “The idea behind it is we want to get people out in the woods and noticing minutiae and detail out in the woods,” Morris said. Visitors start out with a booklet full of clues to where fairies are hidden. “The goal is to find the fairy, take a selfie with the fairy and put it back where it is.” Event included with general admisson, $13.50-$15.50, 3 and under free.

Owl Festival: Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The annual celebration includes refreshments, face painting and learning about owls from around the world. Activites included with general admission. $13.50-$15.50, 3 and under free.

Owl Prowl Wine and Dine: March 1, 5:30-9 p.m. Snowshoe hike at VINS to search for owls followed by meal at The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm. Ages 21 and older. $70. Registration required by Feb. 22.

Editor’s note: For more information, go to vinsweb.org or call 802-359-5000. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.